LAST 24 HOURS
A diplomatic feud between the Taliban and the Pakistani government has continued over the death of a man who was run over by a vehicle at the Torkham border crossing. Pakistan is claiming the man was a Pakistani national, while the Taliban continue to say he was from Afghanistan.
Photos of a burning vehicle, said to have been used in a purported rocket attack on the Loya Jirga recently, have appeared on social media accounts attributed to ISIS-K. Another photo of the rocket launch system was also released, and the system appears similar to those that ISIS has previously released when employing the systems to fire over the Uzbek and Tajik borders. The rockets themselves closely resemble improvised projectiles profiled by Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Taliban security forces stationed at the airport in Kabul have been observed reacting to two security incidents within the airport over the last 24 hours. Both incidents involved columns of trucks with fighters in the back, and smoke was observed coming over a wall along with some sporadic gunshots. No further information was available.
A local radio station in Khost is providing education for all students through a program called ‘Radio Teacher’. The station’s Facebook page can be found HERE.
NEXT 24 HOURS
There is significant potential for violence in Hazara areas where recent land reform measures led to the forced redistribution of Hazara property to Kuchi tribesmen. The Taliban recently dispatched a large security contingent to Maidan Wardak and Bamyan province to act as a ‘buffer’ between the two minorities. Tensions have ratcheted up over the last week as large herds have been reported to be grazing on farmland under Hazara ownership, and the Taliban have not responded to local complaints to stop the practice. The Taliban is reported to have arrested several Hazara landowners who initially filed complaints, but we have not been able to verify the accuracy of these claims.
SPOTLIGHT RESEARCH
Taliban weaponized Twitter: UofR research report
By Aishwarya Dudha – Global News Canada
McQuinn said that Twitter was used as the gateway to link all other social media because moderation on Twitter was basically nonexistent.
“Of the 126,000 accounts that had some engagement with the Taliban content, only 49 were ever in any way sort of moderated or curtailed. So that meant they were basically are able to open up to operate in the open and operate freely.”
Our Readers can download the full report HERE
AFGHAN NEWS
Critical Concerns Not Addressed at Clerics' Gathering: Citizens
By Tamim Shahir – TOLO News
Some Afghan citizens said that the essential problems faced by the people of Afghanistan were not addressed in…
Displaced Families from Balkhab Need Food, Water, Shelter
By TOLO News
Following the unrest in Balkhab district of Sar-e-Pul province, scores of Balkhabi households have been displaced to some areas in the Yakawlang district of…
Taliban labels Islamic State affiliate a 'false sect'
By Sahar Akbarzai / Ehsan Popalzai / Ivana Kottasova - CNN
'We feel suffocated': Afghan women open up about life under the Taliban…
Kabul Taliban police get new uniform
By CGTN
The Taliban-led Ministry of Interior Affairs has introduced a new uniform for the Afghan police…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan lifts Travel Restriction for Afghans on Upcoming Eid
By Bakhtar News Agency
An official of the Torkham commissary in the east of the country told Bakhtar News Agency that due to their efforts, the Pakistani authorities allow…
At Least 19 Killed as Bus Tumbles into Ravine in Balochistan
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
In Balochistan province of southwest Pakistan, a speeding passenger bus drove off a mountain road in heavy rain on…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
World Bank Appoints New Official Covering South Asia
By Amina Hakimi – TOLO News
“As the regional Vice President for South Asia, Mr. Raiser will manage Bank relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and…
Taliban still illegitimate rulers, say Afghan women activists
By The New Arab
The Taliban remain illegitimate rulers despite a declaration by thousands of male clerics endorsing their hardline government…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban Commander Uses Military Helicopter to Take His Newlywed Bride Home
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
A Taliban commander allegedly flew his newlywed bride from Logar to Khost province, in eastern Afghanistan, using a military helicopter…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.73 AFN (as of 04 JUL 2022)